Burseraceae, often called elephant trees have species in both the new world and old world. One famous species from the old world is the Frakencense tree (Boswellia sacra). The Bursera family of elephant trees grows mostly in the Sonoran Desert, mostly just south of the Arizona and Sonora states border between USA and Mexico. Howerver, a few small colonies can be found in Arizona. Bursera typically eminate a strong herbal fragrance when rubbed. Some species are more aromic than others. Bursera microphylla seems to have the strongest smell, filling an entire room with pungent frangrance with just one rub of the leaves.

Bursera fagoroides is the most commonly available because it is easy to propagate from seed or from cuttings. It has pelling bark that reveals either blue or green new growth on the trunk. Bursera microphylla is the most sought after by collectors. It has numerous small leaves and developes a ramdomly directed trunk the fastest.